Tie down strap guide

ABSTRACT

This invention adds a U shaped guide to the ratchet of a tie down strap. The purpose of this guide is to contain the strap in a coiled or wrapped position within the guide when the strap is not being used. This prevents the strap from unwinding and making a mess.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional applicationNo. 60/409,622, filed on Sep. 10, 2002.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER PATENTS

[0002] Patent Number Inventor Title 1) 4,155,537 Bronson et al.Adjustable Length Strap Tie Down Apparatus 2) 4,268,012 Ruehle et al.Adjustable Length Strap Tie Down Apparatus 3) 6,199,412 Kennedy LockableTie Down Strap 4) 3,175,806 Prete, Jr. Rachet Buckle 5) 4,199,182Sunesson Device Arranged to Tighten an to Lock Slings or Load FasteningBelts 6) 4,823,443 Waters Strap Tie Down Device and Method for Its Use7) 6,195,848 Jackson et al Slideable Ratchet Tensioning Device and TieDown Assembly 8) 5,845,370 Cohoon Self Positioning Tie Down Strap

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Prior inventions related to the design of a ratchet mechanism,the strap and methods of attaching the strap to the secured item. Theseinventions did not include any mechanism for securing the strap when notin use. Therefore, when the strap is not in use, the strap becomesentangled with other straps or tied into knots. This mechanism allowsfor coiling or wrapping the unsecured strap in a secure position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] The invention utilized a brachet that can either be attached to atie down strap ratchet or incorporated in the original manufacture ofthe ratchet. This invention utilizes a U shaped guide that allows forthe strap to be coiled or wrapped around the ratchet when not used. Thisalleviates the problem of the strap becoming tangled and tied in knotswhen not used.

[0005] The present invention is a tie down strap and more particularly atie down strap with a mechanism for maintaining the strap in a coiledposition about the ratchet when in storage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ratchet and straps withoutthe guide;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a pair of guides jointed tothe ratchet with straps;

[0008]FIG. 3 is side view showing a pair of guides joined to the ratchetwith straps; and

[0009]FIG. 4 is a top view of a guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The tie down strap 10 is provided with a ratchet 12, strap 20,and at least one guide 40. The ratchet 12 in use allows the strap 20 tobe adjusted in length such that the tie down strap can be adjusted tofit different sized loads. The ratchet 12 is stored, when not in use,via coiling the strap 20 about the ratchet 12 in a coiled or circularpattern. The guide(s) 40 provide a groove 52 into which the strap 20 maybe coiled and retained to avoid unintended uncoiling of the strap 20.Each of the components will be discussed in serial fashion.

[0011] The ratchet 12, commercially, comes in a variety of differentsizes and shapes. Different ratchets 12 are show in FIGS. 1-3 and othersmay be found in stores. A ratchet 12 provides a mechanism forlengthening and shorting the strap 20, adjusting the tie down strap tothe size and shape of the strap 20 to the situation. Such ratchet 12includes a first end 14 and a second end 16. The first end 14 of theratchet 12 may be joined, perhaps slidable, to the first end 24 of thefirst elongate portion 22 of the strap 20. The second end 16 of theratchet 12 may be joined, perhaps slidably, to the first end 28 of thesecond elongate portion 20 of the strap 20. The second ends 27, 29 ofthe first and second elongate portions 22,24 of the strap 20 aretypically joined to S-hooks 30 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The strap 20, preferably made of mylon, may be a single piece ormay have a first elongate portion 22 and a second elongate portion 26,depending upon the structure of the ratchet 12. In a multi-piece strap20, the first elongate portion 22 is typically permanently joinedadjacent the first end 14 of the ratchet 12. The second elongate portion26 is coiled inside the ratchet 12 to shorten and uncoils to lengthenthe strap 20 to the preferred length for a given use.

[0013] At least one guide 40 may be permanently, selectively orhomogeneously joined to the ratchet 12. Suitable attachment mechanismsinclude hook and loop fabric, adhesive, welding, fasteners, and otherpermanent and selective fasteners known in the art of fastening. Apreferred fastener that may be used with ratchets 12 that have anappropriately shaped end 14 or 16 is a snap fit with a slot 54 definedin the guide 40 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0014] The guide 40 may include a first elongate 44 and a secondelongate 48 cooperatively defining a groove 52. The groove 52 is desiredto be of sufficient size such that the strap 20 fits, preferable snugly,within the groove 52 when the strap 20 is wrapped about the ratchet 12.The groove 52 should also be of sufficent depth that each coil, whenfully coiled, is retained within the groove 52, since coils outside thegroove 52 tend to unwind into a mess. That is, as the strap 20 iswrapped about the ratchet 12, each coil passes through the groove 52,holding all the coils in a stacked or restricted position. Differentsized guides 40 may be used with different width straps 20.

[0015] A mechanism 60 for selectively retaining the strap 20 within thegroove 52 may be in operable communication with the guide 40. A varietyof mechanisms 60 may be employed including selectively lockable gates,squeeze fit of the strap 20 within the groove 52, elastomeric bandsdisposed about the coiled strap 20, or retention points 46,50. Retentionpoints 46,50 are preferred as they can be molded or formed into theguides 40 with little to no additonal manufacturing cost and suchretention points 46,50 remain with the guide 40 at all times. Retentionpoints 46,50 may be joined to the first and second elongate portions44,48 respectively. Such points 46,50 define a smaller mouth 62 to thegroove 52 than the width of the strap 20 such that the relative rigidityof the strap 20 retains the strap 20 with in the groove 52.

[0016] Although the present invention has been described with referenceto preferred emodiment, workers skilled in the art will recognizechanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. 10. Tie Down 12. Ratchet 14. First End 16.Second End 20. Strap 22. First Length 24. First End 26. Second Length27. Second End 28. First End 29. Second End 30. S-Hooks 40. Guide 42.Securement Mechanism 44. First Elongate 46. Retention Point 48. SecondElongate 50. Retention Point 52. Groove 54. Slot 60. Mechanism forRetaining Strap 62. Smaller Mouth

I claim: 1) A tie down strap, comprising: a ratchet, having a first endand a second end; a strap, having a first elongate portion with a firstend and a second end and having a second elongate portion with a firstend and a second end; the first and second elongate portions beingjoined to the ratchet; at least one guide joined to the ratchet; theguide including a first elongage and a second elongage cooperativelydefining a groove, the groove being of sufficient size such that thestrap fits within the groove when the strap is wrapped about theratchet; and means for retaining the strap within the groove, theretaining means including a pair of lips mounted to the first and secondelongate portions of the guide.